Chores....And More Escape

It's day 187 of documenting 2025.

Happy New Week ☺️

I wish you....

(Who am I kidding....no one's reading this)

I'll just do the usual sections and be out of my notes app in no time.

Honestly, writing this blog is already starting to feel like a chore.

Something I forget and suddenly remember, "Oh! I haven't typed today!"

Seems like everything important I need to do feels like a chore these days 😒

Resistance? 

Procrastination?

Loss of enthusiasm?

I don't know what's wrong. Maybe Me?

All I know is, I'm typing this to keep a streak...not that I find it exciting anymore.

(Sigh 😔)

Finally doing all my laundry, escaping by watching movies, ignoring my friend's call and feeling sorry for myself afterwards was my routine today.

Whatever...

At least there's something I can look forward to tomorrow.

Examination and marking of papers....yay! (not excited...)

Anyways, let's get this over with...

Highlights and Meditations....which will be interpreted by my personal assistant, Arnold.

And no, I won't add my comments.

Don't expect them.

365 Days With Self-discipline 

📌 On Not Judging Too Quickly

"Realize that other people think their behavior is more responsive to situational factors than you’re inclined to think — and they’re more likely to be right than you are. 

They almost certainly know their current situation — and their relevant personal history — better than you do."

Quote by Richard Nisbett

You can develop your self-control while working on your most important goals, but you can also practice it in everyday situations —when judging people, for example.

Virtually all of us have done it at least once: you assume you know what’s best for another person, while in fact you know nothing about their background or approach to the current situation, yet you judge. 

It’s hard to resist this temptation; after all, we look at the world through our own filters and consider them suitable for everything and everyone.

Whenever you catch yourself judging someone harshly, pause and ask yourself if you understand this person’s personal history, motives, and current situation.

You never know the entire picture, so the best approach is to refrain from judging. 

You’ll improve your “people skills” and at the same time you’ll be practicing your self-control.

On to the next...

Meditations 

📌 Book 4

4. If thought is something we share, then so is reason—what makes us reasoning beings.

If so, then the reason that tells us what to do and what not to do is also shared.

And if so, we share a common law.

And thus, are fellow citizens.

And fellow citizens of something.

And in that case, our state must be the world. What other entity could all of humanity belong to? 

And from it—from this state that we share—come thought and reason and law.

Where else could they come from?

The earth that composes me derives from earth, the water from some other element, the air from its own source, the heat and fire from theirs—since nothing comes from nothing, or returns to it.

So thought must derive from somewhere else as well.

5. Death: something like birth, a natural mystery, elements that split and recombine.

Not an embarrassing thing. Not an offense to reason, or our nature.

6. That sort of person is bound to do that. You might as well resent a fig tree for secreting juice. (Anyway, before very long you’ll both be dead—dead and soon forgotten.)

7. Choose not to be harmed—and you won’t feel harmed.

Don’t feel harmed—and you haven’t been.

Interpretation 

4. We All Share One Mind

> “If thought is shared, so is reason... and so, we’re all fellow citizens of the world.”

Translation:

You’re not as separate from others as you think. If we all have the capacity to think and reason, then at our core, we’re deeply connected. We’re like citizens of one massive country: Earth.

And he drops a deep point:

Just like your body is made from elements that come from nature, your mind, your capacity to think and reason also comes from somewhere shared. It’s not random or isolated.

Takeaway:

We’re all wired with the same inner tools. Use yours for good, not ego. Think beyond your little corner of the world.

Modern Parallel:

You’re not alone in this. Your thoughts, your struggles, your clarity; all are shared human experiences.

5. Death is Natural; Not Tragic

> “Death is like birth... elements splitting and recombining.”

Translation:

Death isn’t the end. It’s not disgraceful, weird, or a glitch in the system. It’s nature doing its thing. Just like you didn’t freak out about being born, don’t panic about dying.

Takeaway:

Normalize the idea of death. It’s not failure. It’s just change. Don’t let fear of it mess with how you live now.

Real-Life Anchor:

Every day is a remix of matter and energy. You’re just a piece of the cosmic puzzle doing its time. Make it count, don’t fear the exit.

6. People Act According to Their Nature

> “That sort of person is bound to do that. Like a fig tree making juice.”

Translation:

If someone acts toxic, rude, or selfish; it’s probably because that’s just who they are right now. Being mad about it is like being mad at a tree for growing fruit.

Bonus punchline:

You’ll both be dead and forgotten soon anyway. So... why stress?

Takeaway:

Don’t take people’s behavior so personally. Their actions reflect them, not you.

Mindset Shift:

Detach from drama. Observe people like weather. You don’t yell at the rain.

7. Choose Not to Be Harmed

> “Choose not to be harmed—and you won’t be.”

Translation:

Nothing can hurt you unless you let it. Emotional damage isn’t automatic; it’s assigned meaning. You control whether you feel harmed.

Takeaway:

You can’t always control what happens, but you do control how you respond. Power lies in perception.

Life Hack:

When someone disrespects you, try: “Does this really have to shake me?” Probably not.

That was wonderful, wasn't it?

Arnold really did a good job of turning timeless stoic wisdom to principles to live by.

Thank heavens for AI!

Well, that's all for today's post.

I hope your week goes well, as well as mine.

Keep going, no matter how you're feeling. Don't let your emotions get in the way.

I'm Duon Ada.

I'm documenting 2025,

And I'll see you tomorrow.

Ciao 💕